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The Cure

[Bianca is planning to run away to live with her boyfriend Adam. Marcos knows about her plan and wants to stop her because he’s in love with her.]

At the end of the second Taekwon-Do lesson with Ben, Bianca was feeling more confident. Ben had taught her several more techniques and stances. She even knew another pattern. Everything was going smoothly until Marcos appeared at the door of the gym. He looked hurt.

“Stuart told me you were here.” He mumbled, his face red and eyes watery.

“I will just be leaving now.” Said Ben who grabbed his shoes and ran out as quick as he could.

“I can train with whoever I choose to.” Stated Bianca defiantly. She noticed Marcos’ eyes widen and his shoulders sink.

Bianca teared up and ran from the room leaving her shoes behind. Marcos stood there stunned, not understanding what had happened.

___

Bianca sat in bed, still fully clothed in her DoBok. She didn’t know what to do. There was a knock at the door.

“Bianca,” called Marcos, “I need to talk to you.”

“It’s Miss Cazares and you only need to talk to her when she wants to talk to you.” Mary-Anne said condescendingly as she passed by.

Bianca scrambled to get out of her bed and ran to the door.

“Marcos.” She half-yelled as he’d already turned away.

“Yes Miss Cazares.” He replied sounding defeated.

“Please call me Bianca, I do wish I didn’t have to keep telling you that.” She said, staring at Mary-Anne who’d also begun walking away. “And please come in.”

“Miss Cazares, it isn’t proper to have a man in your room alone.” Mary-Anne looked down her nose at Bianca, reminding Bianca of Rob.

“Well, you can tell my father if you like, but since he isn’t here, and I’m in charge .. “ Bianca stated defiantly as she closed the door behind a secretly smirking Marcos.

“I’m sorry about before. Of course you can train with whoever you like.” Marcos began. “I, I just, I, I thought you were happy training with me.”

“I was. I’m sorry too.” Replied Bianca who turned away from Marcos.

“I understand. I can arrange for Ben to train you more, or even Stuart – he’s won awards.” Marcos offered.

“No, I want to train with you. I was just,” Bianca’s head hung from her shoulders, “I was embarrassed.”

“About your hand?” Marcos guessed. “Is it okay now?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“I did that when I first started.” Marcos laughed at the memory. “I broke my toe on the punching bag too, and split my hand open.” Bianca’s eyes opened wider. “Your father broke my arm once, do you remember?” Bianca nodded, her forehead furrowed. “He was teaching me how to do takedowns. I wasn’t concentrating and pop,” Marcos made his hands break an invisible stick “my arm just broke. But I learned. Pain is a good teacher.”

___

Marcos reluctantly agreed to drive Bianca to her appointment with Dr Granger. He knew there was something suspect about it, but didn’t know what to say to her. He was still hurting from learning about her new Taekwon-Do training partner and decided to chat about the weather instead.

“They are saying it might rain in the next few days.” He said, feeling odd trying to make small talk with Bianca who’d seated herself in the front next to him.

“Yeah I guess.” She replied, looking out the window at the dusty countryside.

“Can you imagine seeing this place green? I mean, it’s been brown for as long as …” Marcos trailed off as he realised Bianca wasn’t paying attention.

“Can you stop?” Bianca said, looking at Marcos.

Marcos stopped talking, his face reddened and his heart sank. He was losing her all over again and didn’t know how much more he could take.

“I said stop.” Said Bianca louder and indignantly. “Stop the car.” She instructed.
Marcos pulled over, not sure what he was meant to do. They didn’t speak for a while. Bianca stared out the window and Marcos stared at her.

“I don’t know what to do.” Bianca finally said in a weak voice. Tears were running down her cheeks.

“Stay.” Marcos said quietly.

“But…” Bianca had no words left. She undid her seatbelt and climbed from the car. Marcos copied her.

“Please stay.” Marcos begged. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”
Bianca didn’t speak, she hugged Marcos and buried her face in his chest. Holding him, she breathed in his scent and felt his warmth. It felt good to be in his arms.

“I have to see the doctor. I have to talk to him.” Bianca finally spoke after she’d released from the embrace.

___

Another day, Sundays weren’t much different from the rest of the week at the compound. It was early and Bianca and Marcos entered the gym together for their second training session, hoping this time they wouldn’t be interrupted. After just 15 minutes, Marcos was impressed with what Ben had taught Bianca, she was getting some power and speed in her technique.

They began and Bianca quickly realised that sparring was fun. It was like dancing but with punches and kicks. Marcos was careful to avoid hitting Bianca. He did slower attacks to encourage her to block or dodge. She caught on quickly. In no time she felt like Jackie Chan in the movie Drunken Master. She started moving faster.

Whack! Bianca’s hand contacted with Marcos’ cheek.

“Oh my God!” Gasped Bianca in horror. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”

“Ouch!” Marcos exclaimed, lifting his hands to his face immediately.

“Let me see. Are you hurt? Should I get Dr Lynam?”

Marcos lowered his hands, his eyes had watered. It didn’t hurt too much but impact site went red quickly. Bianca leaned in to kiss it better but Marcos turned his head. Instead of his cheek, Bianca’s kiss landed awkwardly on his lips.

Quickly, realising her blunder, she pulled back, the look of shock on her face. They froze for several moments. Bianca looked at Marcos’ lips, she felt a surge of emotion fill her body. She breathed in his scent remembering how he made her feel. In a flurry of urgent desire she held his shoulders and pulled him in. Their lips met again. This was a necessary release of the feelings she’d tried to ignore for a long time.

Marcos resisted, but for no perceptible time. He knew this was wrong. He knew he shouldn’t want it as much as he did, but he couldn’t stop. Wrapping his arms around Bianca he gave her passion back with equal intensity.

After an eternity, which lasted at most 15 seconds, Bianca’s mind registered reality. She pulled away and looked into Marcos’ eyes. Her forehead crinkled. She frowned. Without saying anything she ran from the gym leaving her shoes behind and Marcos bewildered.

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